Civic Media Acquires WNOV AM860 and the Milwaukee Courier

Milwaukee, WI (December 17, 2025) – Civic Media announced today that it is acquiring heritage radio station WNOV 860 AM / 106.5 FM and the weekly Milwaukee Courier newspaper. Civic Media will assume responsibility for programming on WNOV and publication of the Milwaukee Courier on Jan. 1.

As part of the transition, current WNOV owner Mary Ellen Jones will serve as a consultant, while Jerrel Jones will assist with the newspaper’s transition. Civic Media also announced that Dr. Robert “Biko” Baker will join the company as operations manager for both the radio station and newspaper, leading efforts to invest in journalism and programming that has long served Milwaukee’s Black community.  Baker is a civic engagement leader, political pundit, and former editor of The Source with deep roots in Milwaukee’s media and public life. He brings significant experience managing large-scale digital and social impact campaigns that advance public understanding and community engagement.

WNOV was purchased in 1972 by Courier Communications Corporation, with Dr. Jerrel Jones as the majority stakeholder, making it the first Black-owned radio station in Wisconsin and among a small number of Black-owned radio stations in the United States at the time. The Milwaukee Courier has been published continuously since 1964 and has long served as a trusted voice for Milwaukee’s Black community.

Following more than five decades of family ownership and the recent passing of Dr. Jones, the Jones family is entrusting Civic Media with the responsibility of continuing that legacy of service, journalism, and community connection.  The transition marks a rare passing of stewardship for two of Milwaukee’s most enduring Black-owned media institutions, shaped by generations of family leadership and deep community trust.

Mary Ellen Jones, daughter of Dr. Jones, current owner and president of WNOV, said “My parents built The Milwaukee Courier and WNOV to give Milwaukee’s Black community a voice when few existed. Passing that responsibility forward was not taken lightly. Civic Media is committed to honoring that legacy while investing in the future of trusted media.”

“Acquiring The Milwaukee Courier and WNOV is both an opportunity and a responsibility,” said Sage Weil, CEO of Civic Media. “These are trusted institutions with deep roots in Milwaukee, and our role is to steward that legacy while investing in their future—modernizing operations, expanding digital reach, and ensuring they continue to serve the community with integrity. We’re proud to have Dr. Robert ‘Biko’ Baker lead this work.”  Sage Weil co-founded Civic Media, a public benefit corporation, in 2022 with a mission to champion the practice of democracy through the power of honest and informative local voices.

Earnestine Jones, the widow of Dr. Jones, said “When Jerrel and I founded The Milwaukee Courier and WNOV, we believed that accurate information is powerful and our voices matter. As my family passes the torch to Civic Media, we do so with trust that this mission will continue to grow, serve, and remain rooted in truth and integrity.” 

Baker said “I am excited to help continue the legacy of the Jones family by working with Civic Media.  This is a historic opportunity to keep important organizations engaged with the community.  This is exactly the vision that Mr. Jones had in mind.”

Jerrel Jones, the son of Dr. Jones, who will be consulting with Civic Media on the digital transformation of the Milwaukee Courier, said “The Milwaukee Courier and WNOV have been instrumental in shaping my career and strengthening the Milwaukee community. It matters greatly to our family that these institutions continue to inform, uplift, and serve with integrity. Civic Media has shown sincere respect for our parents’ legacy and a thoughtful commitment to honoring and advancing it.”

Earl Ingram, a long-time community member and host of What’s Going On at Civic Media, said “This marks a new beginning for a long-standing institution in Milwaukee. WNOV will receive a new infusion of energy and a fresh new outlook that will allow it to remain a beacon of light for Milwaukee’s Black community. Many of the staples of the station will remain, and a fresh new outlook including a mix of young and old voices will power it into a renewed community-centered platform.”

Chris Moreau, Civic Media Regional President, Southern Wisconsin, said, “Our company is proud to continue the legacy and history of WNOV’s service to the heart of Milwaukee. We’re committed to providing the resources and infrastructure to help this team serve the community through broadcast, digital and print media.”

About Civic Media

Civic Media, a public benefit corporation, is a local media company focused on strengthening communities through trusted journalism, local storytelling, and civic information. Rooted in radio, Civic Media operates a growing network of broadcast, digital, streaming, and community platforms that connect people to the issues, events, and voices shaping their daily lives. With a strong emphasis on local, regional, and state reporting, Civic Media believes informed communities are essential to a healthy democracy and is committed to providing accessible, accurate information that encourages civic understanding and engagement.

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